With Newbury kicking off, they took the initiative straight away, starting very positively, with both Leanne Creese and Kirsty Parfett combining well in the early stages. Crosses came into the Tower box from both wings, but the visiting goalkeeper dealt with them well, under minimal pressure. At the other end, any through balls played over the top of the Newbury defence were swept up and cleared by Chloe Hunt in the Newbury goal, who was alert and quick off her line.

The possession was evenly shared as the midway point of the half approached. Rachel Panting had one wide shot for Newbury from the edge of the area. Tower Hill had a couple of free kicks inside the Newbury half, but the home side cleared both comfortably and gradually Newbury started to build the pressure in their opponent’s final third after 30 minutes had been played. Ellie Reed was becoming more influential on the left and Newbury captain, Creese, forced the keeper into a good save from the right. The ball was only parried into the path of Nicole Beesley for Newbury, but the keeper recovered in time to make the second save, but it was surely only a matter of time now before the deadlock would be broken.

After a Newbury foul just outside their own area on 36 minutes, Tower Hill were awarded a free kick and a chance for a goal attempt. The free kick was hit straight at Hunt and she gathered easily. She was then quick to turn defence into attack and played the ball out to Reed, who was in a wide area. She in turn played the ball down the line and found Beesley, who had run into the left hand channel, looking to break clear of the Tower Hill defence. Beesley went on a storming run, which took her into the area. As she was baring down on goal, the last defender lunged despairingly from behind, made no contact on the ball, but took Beesley’s legs from under her. It was a clear penalty and the Referee had no hesitation in awarding Newbury a spot kick. Up stepped Panting, who made no mistake. Her shot was low and to the keeper’s right and despite getting a hand to the ball, it was hit with too much power and sailed into the corner of the net. One nil to Newbury on 38 minutes.

Then on the stroke of half time, after winning the ball in midfield, Sami Atkins was brought down and fouled 40 yards out from the Tower goal. Creese came over to take the free kick from the left and she whipped in a delightful cross into the box. With no connection from either team, the Tower Hill goalkeeper punched the ball away, but she didn’t get enough distance on it. The ball dropped to Panting, who was lurking just inside the edge of the area. She sent back in a first time half volley that thundered into the net for hers and Newbury’s second goal of the day. Two nil to Newbury at half time.

That was to be Panting’s last contribution in the game however, as she was withdrawn at half time and replaced by Ruby Oliver. Just four minutes after the re-start, Oliver had her first effort on goal, after receiving a through ball from Beesley. Unfortunately her shot was just the wrong side of the upright. Three minutes later and Reed had a glorious chance to get on the score sheet, after she met a Creese cross with a header from 6 yards, but again the ball sailed just wide of the post.

Newbury were dominating possession and just after the hour mark, Creese was played in by Reed. She collected the pass in her stride and cut into the area. With Reed in support, Creese’s second touch opened up the angle for a shot and she took it on herself, forcing an excellent save from the Tower goalkeeper at the near post.

With Newbury still two goals clear, they made another attacking change on 73 minutes, with defender Lorna Parr replaced for striker, Gemma Burnett. The change was a positive one and brought about Newbury’s third goal just two minutes later. Parfett played a terrific cross-field ball from just inside her own half, to Oliver, who had moved into the right hand channel. Her first touch took her clear of the last defender and as she moved into a one-on-one position with the goalkeeper, she steadied herself with her second touch and then fired a low shot that beat the keeper at the near post. Three nil now to Newbury, with 20 minutes of the match remaining.

Newbury were in full control and continued to nullify any threat from their opponents. After her introduction, Burnett gave a strong cameo performance for Newbury and she went on one very strong run down the left flank, beating the full back and racing clear of the Tower Hill defence. She shot, after cutting into the penalty area, but her effort flashed across the face of goal and went to safety.

That was to be the last real highlight of the day and when the Referee blew for full time, it had been a very well-deserved three nil home victory. A clean sheet, three goals scored, another three points collected, as Newbury extended their winning run to 7 games in the league. They also extended their lead at the top of the Southern Region Women’s Division One table and are now 7 points clear with 5 games of the campaign left to play.

Match report by Sue Hewett.